Iona University Awarded Prestigious $3.25 Million Hawkins Grant to Transform Teacher Preparation, Diversify Recruitment
New Rochelle, N.Y. — Iona University has been awarded a $3.25 million federal grant to develop a new model for teacher recruitment and retention under the prestigious Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence Program.
Effective for five years as of Oct. 1, 2024, Iona was the only institution in New York State and one of only 26 institutions nationally to be awarded this highly competitive funding through the U.S. Department of Education.
“When I saw this grant, I thought, this is what we need. We are actually creating a new model to show how teacher preparation can work better to diversify our teachers and keep them teaching,” said Kate Branson Gmuer, Ed.D., assistant chair of the Education Department. “In New York, we know there will be a teacher shortage looming in the near future. We are trying to remove any barriers to ensure our teachers are going to be successful and supported throughout their careers.”
The grant will empower Iona’s Education Department to launch the LEXICON initiative, designed to reduce barriers for people to become teachers, especially attracting candidates from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. The aim is to support teachers financially as well as holistically through professional development, mentorship, childcare and mental health vouchers, employment opportunities and more.
“Thanks to the Hawkins Program and the launch of the LEXICON initiative, our future educators will benefit from even more robust training in inclusive practices; financial vouchers to support their career journeys; and a deeply engaged mentorship network,” said Christine Hardigree, Ph.D., chair of the Education Department. “Our goal is to ensure that every graduate of this program has the resources and confidence to thrive in any classroom while making a meaningful impact.”
Key initiatives include:
- A new literacy clinic on campus, providing a six-week, summer intensive program where future educators will gain real-time feedback and support.
- Financial support in the form of tuition vouchers for childcare, mental health counseling and other expenses, as well as hourly employment at the clinic.
- Mentorship and professional development for educators throughout their careers, including alumni returning for additional support and training.
- Targeted recruitment strategies to attract candidates from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.
Iona President Seamus Carey, Ph.D., congratulated the faculty, saying the grant aligns with Iona’s mission of service and its long history of producing dedicated educators.
“This grant reflects Iona’s deep commitment to education, justice, opportunity and the transformative power of education,” Carey said. “By preparing teachers to thrive in their careers, we continue Iona’s legacy of using education as a powerful tool for professional and personal fulfillment.”
Provost Tricia Mulligan, Ph.D., highlighted the program’s importance, saying, “This grant enables Iona to build upon its history of producing top-tier educators while innovating to meet the evolving needs of our nation’s schools. We are equipping our students not only to be great teachers but also to be change-makers in their communities.”
Iona offers robust undergraduate and graduate degree programs for those called to become educators, including a 4+1 combined bachelor’s and master’s degree. Explore the Education Department or contact them directly at (914) 633-2210 or education@iona.edu to learn more today!
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of more than 50,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 5 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review recognized Iona’s on-campus MBA program as a “Best Business School for 2024.” Iona also offers a fully online MBA program for even greater flexibility. In July 2021, Iona announced the establishment of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, which is now principally located on Iona’s Bronxville campus in collaboration with one of the nation’s top hospitals. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.